This MATOD Clinical Placement Program (the Program) is designed to build the skills and confidence of general practitioners who want to provide quality MATOD services to patients who live with Opioid Use Disorder.

A generous rate of reimbursement is offered to participants for the time involved in undertaking the training.

Many doctors, despite their best intentions, find themselves reluctant to engage in MATOD prescribing even after having completed their accreditation training. The two factors most commonly cited as contributing to this are 1) a lack of opportunities to prescribe MATOD soon after completing their training, and 2) a lack of support to prescribe the same.

The Program aims to provide MATOD-accredited GPs with experience and education; working in the “real world”, at high-volume general practice clinics alongside practiced MATOD prescribers, and undertaking further MATOD-related education and mentoring that builds effectively upon the credentialing coursework.

The Program is available to any General Practitioner who is accredited to prescribe Medication-Assisted Treatment of Opioid Dependence.

Program overview

The Program is split into two sections.

Level 1 (Online Coursework & “Observership” Clinical Placements)

Level 1 will provide the applicant clinician (the Trainee) an opportunity to observe an experienced MATOD prescriber (Supervisor) undertake consultations with patients receiving treatment for Opioid Use Disorder. This experience will be supplemented with online coursework and mentoring sessions that build on their existing knowledge of MATOD prescribing.

The breakdown:

• Completed over 4 weeks (28 hours in total)
• 4 hours per week Clinical Placement at high-volume MATOD GP practice, observing an experienced MATOD prescriber (16 hours total)
• Online Coursework (8 hours total, eligible for 8 Education Activity CPD hours)
• 1 hour per week (over 4 weeks) out-of-clinic Mentoring session with an experienced MATOD prescriber (4 hours total. eligible for 4 Reviewing Performance CPD hours).

Level 1 can be undertaken as a standalone program, if desired. Completion of Level One is a pre-requisite for participation in Level Two and priority will be given to applicants completing both programs.

Level 2 (“Supervised Practice” Clinical Placements)

Level 2 will provide the Trainee an opportunity to run a series of 4-hour “locum” clinics at the practice which hosted their Level 1 placement, with the assurance of support from the Supervisor. As in Level 1, mentoring sessions with an experienced MATOD prescriber will take place concurrently. This part of the program is designed to provide the Trainee with an “experience of mastery” which will build confidence and reduce the apprehension regularly reported as a barrier to MATOD prescribing.

The breakdown:

• Completed over 8 weeks (36 hours in total)
• 4 hours per week Clinical Placement at high-volume MATOD GP practice, practicing with supervision under an experienced MATOD prescriber (32 hours total)
• 1 hour per fortnight (over 8 weeks) out-of-clinic Mentoring session with an experienced MATOD prescriber (4 hours total, eligible for 4 Reviewing Performance CPD hours).
  
  

Benefits of participating in the Program

• Hands-on, real-world learning in a highly supportive general practice environment
• Build on prior MATOD training and experience
• Guaranteed exposure to MATOD prescribing 
• Fit the program into your working week
• Choice of two levels of engagement
• Eligible for recording as CPD hours
• Remuneration for training time (see the MATOD Clinical Placement Program - Medical Practitioner Guide for details)
  
  

Key dates 

12 February 2024: Expressions of Interest now open
30 June 2025: Program ends

How to apply

Places are limited, so please ensure you apply asap. Early registration is encouraged. Please find the Expression of Interest (EOI) application here.

Should you have any questions in relation to the program please don’t hesitate to contact A4PN@semphn.org.au or call 03 8514 6600.